During the 2022 MLB Draft, the Astros used their first two selections on college outfielders. They took Drew Gilbert in the first round and followed that up taking Jacob Melton in the 2nd round. Melton had an impressive background, putting together a great junior season where he hit .360 with 17 homers, 83 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases in 63 games. This helped Melton earn Pac-12 player of the year.
“I think the biggest thing for me last year was having a great group of guys around me, we were almost all the same draft class so the guys have been around each other a while,” Melton said about his success in 2022. “Then obviously having a good culture there at the school, having a winning mentality and a coaching staff that had already won in Omaha. It was pretty cool to play there and be around guys that had played at the highest level,” Melton added.
The second round selection, where Melton was selected, had a slot value of a little over $1.1. million. Given the investment, you would think the player would have a really good idea the Astros were going to take him. That wasn’t the case with Melton.
“Honestly the Astros were kind of one of the last team I anticipated taking me. (I) didn’t really walk with them a whole lot before the draft. They were one of the last teams that really checked in with me,” Melton said.
Following the draft and him signing, Melton was assigned to the FCL Astros, a rookie level team in Florida. Melton got off to a rough start to his professional career going 0-for-17 in his first four games there. Not the ideal start, but Melton didn’t let it effect him.
“I never really had any self-doubt or anything like that. My swing has a lot more moving parts than other people so with having that month off and not seeing any live arms.. I didn’t expect to come in and struggle like that.. I knew it would take a little bit for me to get going and kind of acclimate to everything again,” Melton said about the early struggles.
After those four games he was moved up to Single-A Fayetteville and showed exactly why he was a second round pick. The left-hander played in 19 games and hit .324 with 6 doubles, 4 homers, 13 runs batted in and 4 stolen bases. A strong finish to his first taste of professional baseball.
Through talking to prospects, I’ve learned the Astros tend to make minor adjustments following the draft. Nothing crazy, but adjustments they think will help the prospect be more successful. For Melton, they didn’t really make any changes.
“They were pretty hands-off, just kind of seeing how we are going to adjust to pro ball. Just how we acclimate then once something becomes an issue we will make adjustments from there,” Melton said.
This season Melton started in High-A Asheville. He had a slow April hitting .195 but was still getting on base at a high rate with a .389 OBP. Though since May 5th, Melton has posted a .783 OPS with 11 homers in 42 games. One thing that has really stood out is his base stealing. To this point in the season, Melton is 29-for-35 on stolen bases which leads the Astros system.
“It’s kind of always been part of my game. I’ve always moved some what well for my size,” Melton said about his speed and size. “Moving forward.. try to implement that as much as I can. Pitchers get better at holding runners, catchers have better arms, better feel for the game. As you move up its going to get more difficult but I’d like to keep that incorporated,” Melton added.
Melton played primarily center field in college, his primary position growing up. The Astros like to move guys around to get them comfortable at multiple positions so they have a better chance at contributing somewhere down the line.
“If it was up to me, I’d love to stick in center. It’s the one I grew up playing, its kind of the easiest for me. Getting used to playing all three. Hasn’t been too bad so far, struggled a little bit in right but kind of weird field conditions here in Asheville,” Melton said about moving around.
The conditions in right field he is talking about is a couple things. One, the fence in right field is only 297 feet. Two, the fence down the line is about 30 feet high and then in right center there is a high scoreboard which is in play. This can create some interesting reads and bounces in the outfield.
Overall this season Melton has a .788 OPS with 13 homers and 29 stolen bases, showing off the power/speed combination that helped him get drafted so high. Melton, who has posted great exit velocities, has been plagued by some bad luck. His batting average on balls in play is only .260, which is really low given his speed. Even then, he still has a 117 wRC+ for the season.
Once these numbers correct themselves, we could see Melton go on a tear and find himself playing in the Texas League in Double-A before the season is over.
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